I
remember once being in the now-former Borders Books store at Diversey, Clark
and Broadway when I overheard what appeared to be a rural couple approach a
sales clerk and ask if there was a Wal-mart store anywhere nearby.
That
clerk explained to the couple that Wal-mart wasn’t exactly the kind of business
that located in such a community as the Lakeview neighborhood. The tone of his
voice made it clear he held the couple in some sort of contempt for even
thinking of shopping at a Wal-mart.
I
COULDN’T HELP but think of that clerk (whom I don’t believe I have ever seen or
heard from since that moment) when I stumbled across the press release Gov. Pat
Quinn put out on Monday – one that boasted of something that Quinn wants to
think is a major business accomplishment during his administration.
Chicago,
the city proper, is getting its first Olive Garden restaurant!
Officials
say the restaurant on Addison Street will employ 170 people in all. Those new
jobs are among 13,800 new private sector jobs created across all of Illinois
during the month of August.
What
would that clerk think of the concept of an Olive Garden – mass produced
Italian food for those people who claim they like Italian, except for the
garlic – being located within the city limits?
THIS
COMMENTARY IS not about to turn into a rant about generic businesses being
located in Chicago. I’m not about to claim the city is a bastion of
sophistication.
I’m
sure there are many city residents who would patronize an Olive Garden if it
was located near their homes. It’s not the kind of place they’re going to make
a lengthy trip for.
Yet
the idea of boasting about this particular business accomplishment. It makes me
wonder what’s next – will Quinn get all worked up at the thought of a Steak ‘n’
Shake being located within the city? Or maybe an International House of
Pancakes winding up in Chicago?
Small
businesses might well be an important part of our local and regional economy.
But it takes a lot of them to create benefits that are noticeable to the
masses.
POLITICAL
REINFORCEMENTS: Gov. Pat Quinn is going to get the reinforcements to bolster
his campaign during the next week-and-a-half.
Both
President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama will be in Chicago at events on
his behalf. And one-time suburban Park Ridge native Hillary Rodham Clinton will
be in Chicago to tell people why they should get off their keisters and cast
ballots for Quinn.
That’s
some pretty heavy-duty political power to be able to wield. When combined with
the fact that Republican opponent Bruce Rauner isn’t the kind of guy who
inspires people to vote for him (GOP backers are voting against Quinn, by and
large, the incumbent governor is looking like he’d better win come Nov. 4.
For
if he can’t turn out the vote in Illinois, particularly the urban parts of the
state, in strong enough numbers, he’s got no one to blame really but himself.
73-89
SQUARED: The professional baseball season is over in Chicago. Both the White
Sox and Cubs finished with identical won-loss records that say they improved
from being absolutely dreadful last year (99 White Sox losses compared to 96
for the Cubs) to being mediocre in ’14.
It
has some wondering if the improvement will continue to the point where we might
have dual pennant races within a couple of years. I’m not rushing to any
judgment. Serious contention is a big leap from the mediocrity we saw this past
season.
So
while I joke about that upcoming all-Chicago World Series, I realize there is
much development (and many quirks that must break just so) for that to become a
reality – and it may never occur.
So
now we count down to 2015, and the possibility of Jose Abreu improving on his
36-home run performance – more home runs than any other White Sox rookie (and
good enough for third best in the American League).
-30-
No comments:
Post a Comment